Mamta Kulkarni’s flats to be seized

The Thane police is likely to seize four flats in Versova that belong to former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni — among other assets — as part of its probe into the ephedrine drug haul case. Kulkarni has been identified as one of the key accused along with her husband, alleged drug smuggler Vicky Goswami, who is absconding.

A police source, requesting anonymity, said on Saturday that investigations have revealed Kulkarni allegedly owns four flats in Versova and the police will examine if they were bought from the proceeds of illegal activities, including drug smuggling. The police is verifying the ownership details of the flats to confirm whether or not they belong to Kulkarni, said the source. “The seizure will happen once these details are confirmed,” the source said.

The source added that the police submitted reports on the properties to the department concerned and will take action.”

The Thane police, in collaboration with the narcotics department of Thane crime branch, in April seized a huge haul of drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore from the outskirts of Thane. Among the narcotics seized was 18,600 kg of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine powder. The haul is said to be the biggest ever in the state. A total of seven persons have been arrested in the case under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Last month, the Thane police sealed eight of Kulkarni’s bank accounts, holding Rs 93 lakh, at bank branches in Nariman Point, Parel, Dharavi, Malad in Mumbai; Kalyan and Badlapur in Thane; and Bhuj and Rajkot in Gujarat. “Kulkarni has eight bank accounts in India. A Malad bank has Rs 67 lakh, while the remaining Rs 26 lakh are in other banks. The former actor has not made any transaction in the past one and half year.